abwsco Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 and identification help please. I've just taken a phone call from a council EO officer. First thought was a complaint about our chickens but luckily not. We have a mature ivy all along our front wall and every time it goes into flower the pollen attracts these insects. Someone has rung up and said we have a wasps nest and that they are attacking people Have assured him that in the 16 years we've been here that we've never been stung but I'm curious as to what they are. Any ideas or do I need to try and get a photo. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 we have ivy on our fence and we have lots of wasps on it. Not quite sure why they like it so much as hey don't appear to eat the leaves. So I'd say it was wasps. I'd also check you have no nest there as they can appear quite quickly. We had one start above our guttering right above our back door which I'd say took about 2 weeks until lots of wasps started flying about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 They haven't got the distinctive yellow and black dense striping that I associate with wasps and they don't attack you when you brush past them they just fly out of the way Have just been trying to get a picture but had no luck due to combination of sun and my camera. Wonder if they could be a worker honey bee as they do look similar to a photo I've just found online of one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hornets? We have loads of wasps here at the moment, so I've had to hang a wasp trap in my plum tree Some are smaller and don't have very visible stripes yet. I am yet to find the nest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainboarddude Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 hmmm, rather strange if you ask me. we have had a lot of these unusual large yellow and black hoverfly type wasp things in our garden this year. they are huge but dont seem to be agressive just rather strange. does anybody know what these could be. i have tried to take a picture but they are too quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 10, 2009 Author Share Posted September 10, 2009 Debs, they're definately not hornets as they're not vicious. Still had no luck with a pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'm betting that they're hoverflies probbably 'Marmalade Fly' Episyrphus balteatus. I think they're the commonest hoverfly, and feed on pollen and nectar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 I'm betting that they're hoverflies probbably 'Marmalade Fly' Episyrphus balteatus. I think they're the commonest hoverfly, and feed on pollen and nectar. Thanks Eileen and Colin Did a search and there is a hoverfly which looks like a drone bee so I think that's what they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I'd say hoverflies too! Ask the council bloke to come round adn see them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 I'd say hoverflies too! Ask the council bloke to come round adn see them He said he'd take my word for it but I might just give him a ring as we did have a few wasps on it as well yesterday in the sun. Don't want to cut the flowers off really as they attracted butterflies as well this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Flowering ivy is a rare and very welcome late source of nectar for many beneficial insects such as bees, hoverflies, butterflies etc so please do leave the flowers. Surely people can give it a wide berth if they are nervous? We need all the pollinators we can get. Well done you for providing such a welcome food source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Yes the ivy up here is buzzing with all things stripey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Ain't that a beaut, Old Speckled! I accidently baked one in some fruit yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
